About this role
The Opportunity:
We are looking for a President to lead a well-established distributor of automotive aftermarket supplies in New York City. The company serves a loyal base of business customers across the city from two locations.
This is a strong, established business with a loyal, long-tenured team. The next president will bring structure and stronger financial discipline, and will work closely with an experienced leadership team that is staying on.
The ideal fit is a hands-on operator with strong accounting and finance skills who has led a systems and process overhaul in a small or mid-sized business before. Leadership experience in the distribution industry is preferred, and Spanish fluency is a strong plus.
The company has a solid foundation and a team that knows the industry well. This role is about earning the team’s trust, putting the right systems in place, and building the foundation for long-term growth as an employee-owned company. We are looking for someone who is based in the New York City area and available to work with the team in person, full time, splitting time between both locations.
What You Will Do:
Serve as President of an established automotive aftermarket supply distributor in New York City. You will own full P&L responsibility, business strategy, and operations, and will report to a Teamshares Industry Lead who supports a portfolio of companies within the sector.
- Determine/be responsible for all business strategy, operations, and P&L management
- Lead an experienced team of about 30 existing employee owners across two locations
Build the Financial Foundation
- Take ownership of the company’s accounting and financial reporting. Clean up the books, establish monthly close and reporting discipline, put customer credit controls in place, and create a single source of truth for financials and inventory.
Lead Systems and Process Transitions
- Project-manage the move to new accounting/ERP software and the migration of banking and payroll, keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly for customers, drivers, and counter staff throughout.
Drive Revenue Growth
- Lead efforts to grow the business through marketing, outreach, and the development of new product lines and accounts.
Execute Operational Business Objectives
- Develop and execute repeatable business processes to achieve key business results. Whether it's documenting existing effective methods or developing new structures, you will be responsible for establishing and tracking key operational metrics and financial outcomes.
Collaborate on Financial Decisions
- Work closely with Teamshares staff and company-level financial partners to manage ongoing expenses, capital purchases, and growth initiatives.
Stabilizing Through Ownership Transition
- Serve as a steady operational leader during the transition to the Teamshares model, maintaining continuity for customers, employees, and vendors. Partner closely with the outgoing owner during the handoff, take over key supplier and purchasing relationships, and build a strong working partnership with the founding family’s operations leader, with clear roles for each.
Lead Growth Initiatives
- Once the foundation is in place, act as a growth leader, working with employee-owners and the sales team to improve company operations and expand revenue opportunities.
Manage HR and Personnel Matters
- Handle HR responsibilities, including staff disputes, employee performance evaluations, job reviews, raises, and bonuses. Define clear roles across the team and build out the office and administrative function.
Build Relationships
- Invest in your local community, and build strong relationships with customers, vendors, and mission-aligned organizations.
Transition to Employee Ownership
- Collaborate with Teamshares and fellow shareholders during the transition to employee ownership, coaching and partnering to instill an owner’s mindset that drives better business outcomes and fosters a positive values-aligned company culture.
What You Bring:
- Accounting and Financial Expertise: Deep accounting and finance literacy, with hands-on experience cleaning up books, building reporting, and managing cash, credit, and margins in a small to mid-sized business.
- Systems and Change Leadership: A track record of leading an accounting/ERP, banking, or payroll transition, or a similar systems overhaul, from planning through go-live without disrupting the business.
- Bringing Order Without Breaking Culture: Experience stepping into a less-structured business and introducing process and accountability while earning the trust of a long-tenured team.
- Frontline Leadership: Experience managing hourly and frontline teams such as drivers, counter staff, and warehouse staff in a fast-moving, hands-on environment.
- Distribution Experience (preferred): Background in distribution, wholesale, or a related B2B trade business.
- P&L Ownership: A track record of owning or significantly influencing the P&L of a small to mid-sized business, including pricing, margin management, and cost control.
- Bilingual English and Spanish Fluency (preferred)
- Clear Communication and Collaboration: Ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, and foster constructive collaboration with all employees.
- Proven Leadership: Demonstrated people leadership abilities with strong interpersonal and communication skills and a low-ego, collaborative approach.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: An entrepreneurial spirit with a desire to build, innovate, and operate hands-on in a transformative environment.
- Project Management and Problem-Solving: Proven project management skills coupled with a humble, hands-on, get-it-done attitude.
- Business Acumen: Strong analytical skills to oversee company financials and develop effective strategies for sustainable growth.
- Growth Mindset: Willingness to explore new ideas, learn from mistakes, and innovate continuously.
- Agility and Flexibility: Equally adept at thinking creatively and critically, with a natural bias toward action.
- Strategic Partnership: Ability to partner with stakeholders to establish a clear vision, define measurable KPIs, and develop strategies to achieve financial goals.
What You Receive:
- Equity stake both in the network company and in Teamshares
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Ongoing business and leadership development training throughout your tenure
- Access to exceptional medical/dental/vision benefit plans
- Paid parental leave